Hi @NoorBhai,
Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
There's no reason you can't go from Kikuyu to Buffalo grass, but it can be a bit tricky because Kikuyu is such a fast-spreading grass type. You'll need to kill and then remove the Kikuyu if you simply remove the top layer, it can lay dormant in the soil and can return.
Removing the Kikuyu is the most important step, so I'd advise you to have a professional landscaper do this for you. They will likely have to do it in stages. Spraying your lawn with a glyphosate herbicide to kill the lawn both above and below ground is likely the first step. They will then likely bring a skid steer to perform a site cut, removing the top layer of soil along with the dead grass.
Once the site cut has been performed, you will need to add a layer of topsoil around 50mm thick before laying your new turf. In smaller quantities, this Scotts Lawn Builder 25L Organic Lawn Soil Topdress & Underlay is a good option, however, topsoil can also be ordered in bulk through your store's Special Orders or Trade Desks. As suppliers for bulk goods are regional, I can't point you towards a specific listing on our website, so you'll have to speak with your local store to confirm availability.
You can check out How To Lay Turf for some guidance on the actual laying process.
For the first two weeks after installation, it's essential to water the turf frequently to help the roots establish. On the day of installation, water the turf thoroughly to moisten the soil about 10-15 cm deep, allowing the roots to start bonding with the soil below. For the next two weeks, water the turf two to three times per day, ensuring it stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Early morning and early afternoon are the best times for watering, as this avoids excessive moisture overnight, which can cause fungal issues. Keeping the topsoil damp without creating standing water is important during this stage.
As the turf begins to take root in weeks three and four, you can reduce the frequency of watering. Once per day should be sufficient, providing enough water to moisten the soil about 10 cm deep. On cooler or cloudy days, you may need to water only once or twice a day. By gradually decreasing the watering frequency, the roots will start growing deeper into the soil.
After about five weeks, the turf should be well established, and you can shift to watering every other day or three times a week. At this point, it's important to water deeply to encourage the roots to grow further into the soil, which will help the grass become more drought-tolerant. With consistent deep watering, your lawn should thrive and grow into a healthy, strong turf.
You can apply Lawn Solutions Australia Oxafert Herbicide And Fertiliser after the new turf has had 3 weeks of growth to prevent weeds from growing through. This is a pre-emergent herbicide. This means it will stop weed growth before it happens. Ensure you read the label carefully before applying.
If you find over time some weeds start to grow through, ensure you use Buffalo-friendly herbicides such as Yates BuffaloPro Weed 'N' Feed Hose On Weed Killer.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
